How does radioactivity make it possible to understand how Earth can be so old and still have a hot interior? (1 point)
A.Radioactive elements trap heat from underground magma chambers.
B.Radioactive elements absorb heat from the atmosphere and release it underground.***
C.Radioactive elements near the core release heat as their nuclei decay.
D.Radioactive elements absorb the cold temperatures underground.
I don't agree with B.
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=35188.0
I'm also a little confused on this one.
To understand how radioactivity helps us understand the age and heat of the Earth's interior, we need to look at the process of radioactive decay. Radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, have unstable nuclei, which means they spontaneously break down over time. During this process, they release energy in the form of heat.
The heat generated by radioactive decay plays a key role in the Earth's interior. Deep within the Earth, there are radioactive elements present, particularly in the core and mantle regions. As these elements decay, they continually release heat. This heat is then transferred through the layers of the Earth, contributing to the overall temperature.
Additionally, radioactive elements that are present in the Earth's crust and mantle release heat into their surroundings. This heat can then be transferred to the deeper parts of the Earth through conduction and convection processes, further contributing to the heat in the interior.
Therefore, option C is the correct answer: Radioactive elements near the core release heat as their nuclei decay. This heat generated by radioactive decay helps us understand how Earth can be so old and still maintain a hot interior.